A Map of the U.S. That Shows Each State’s Most Famous Brand

Room for argument?

Quick, what's New Mexico's most famous brand? Correct! Nobody cares. Especially me. Anyway, artist and writer Steve Lovelace is getting some buzz for his "Corporate States of America" map, showing the most famous brand (as of 2012) that originated in each of the 50 states. Lovelace calls the project a response to "corporate feudalism." (Overreaching, omnipresent brands—cower before my map!) Most folks seem content to argue about his picks, ignoring—or entirely missing—the social commentary. The most controversial pick is in California, where Apple boots up on top. (Facebook, Google and Frontier Wok can suck it!) Elsewhere, Nike slam dunks Oregon, General Motors drives Michigan, L.L. Bean has the biggest footprint in Maine, General Electric electrifies my home state of Connecticut, and Hooters stands out in Florida. If corporate feudalism grows unchecked, maybe someday we'll say, "Let's move to Allsup's!" Of course, when we arrive, it'll still be New Mexico, hot as hell with nothing much to do. Kidding, of course. New Mexico rocks. They've got some sweet convenience stores there—or so I hear. Via The Atlantic.

UPDATE: A few of the states are hard to make out. New Jersey is Campbell's, New Hampshire is Timberland, Vermont is Ben & Jerry's, Rhode Island is Hasbro, Delaware is DuPont, and Hawaii is Hawaiian Airlines.